Celebrate Valentine's
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CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE CANTERBURY TALES
-Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to connect St Valentine with romantic love-
There’s a very good reason why there’s no better place to celebrate St Valentine’s Day than at the award-winning Kent visitor attraction, The Canterbury Tales.
Medieval author and poet Geoffrey Chaucer, known as the Father of English literature, is best known for writing The Canterbury Tales, but it’s a little known fact that he all but ‘invented’ St Valentine’s Day when he made the first reference to Valentine’s Day as a holiday celebrating romantic love.
He did so in his poem Parlement of Foules, published in 1382, when he wrote:
“For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make”
“For this was on St Valentine’s Day
When every bird comes there to choose his mate”
By linking the day with romance, Chaucer was reflecting a belief in the Middle Ages that February 14 was the first day of the bird mating season, therefore it was an appropriate day for the young to express their love.
Now modern-day lovers can visit The Canterbury Tales on Saturday February 14 to watch a live performance of the Wife of Bath’s Tale, where they will discover what it is that ‘every woman most desires’ (at least according to Chaucer!). Visitors can also enjoy a glass of mead and learn its connections to the honeymoon story.
General manager Lyndsay Ridley says: “Love will definitely be in the air during this very special day at The Canterbury Tales.”
The Canterbury Tales brings to life five of Chaucer’s best-loved stories with tales of love, romance and trickery, vividly re-created with all the fun of his original tales. Its stunningly accurate reconstruction of 14th century England, set inside the former St Margaret’s Church, gives visitors the opportunity to step back in time and experience the sights, smells and sounds of medieval times. Join Chaucer and his band of pilgrims as they embark on a journey from The Tabard Inn to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
The Canterbury Tales provides a great introduction to the cathedral city and its famous literary connection as well as being a hugely entertaining day out for the whole family. Having welcomed more than two million visitors from all over the world, The Canterbury Tales remains one of Kent’s ‘must see’ attractions.
Admission prices are £8.95 adults, £6.95 children (aged 5-15), and £7.95 concessions. At certain times of year and for certain events, rates may vary.
Opening times: February: 10am-4.30pm; March-June: 10am-5pm; July-August: 9.30am-5pm; Sept-Oct: 10am-5pm; Nov-Dec: 10am-4.30pm.
The Canterbury Tales is a Continuum Heritage Attraction. Discover the hidden stories within famous historic cities at Continuum Heritage Attractions.
Continuum Attractions offer a host of cultural visitor attraction experiences across the UK, from the hallowed cobbles of Coronation Street to Edinburgh’s underground history told under the Royal Mile.